Potato-assorter



(No 1101101. 2 Sheets8haet 1. M. H. CHRIST. POTATO ASSORTBR.

Patented May 11, 1897.

/N VENTOR WITNESSES o. WASH (No Model.)

. 2 Sheath-Sheet 2. M. H. CHRIST. POTATO ASSORTER.

Patented May 11, 1897.

IN VENTOH,

W/TNESSES A 77'0HNEY.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MILTON I-I. CHRIST, OF CENTREPORT, 'PENNSYLVANIA.

POTATO-ASSORTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 5 56, dated M y 897-Application filed November 23, 1896. Serial No. 613,164. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MILTON H. CHRIST, a citizen of the United States,residing at Centreport,in the county of Berks and State of Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Potato-Assorters;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to potato-assorting machines. 7

My object is to provide a machine of .novel construction which will beadapted to assort potatoes rapidly and easily, so that all of a kindwill be delivered together.

Having this object in View, the invention consists of a potato-assortercomprising the novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements ofparts, all of which will be more particularly hereinafter pointed outand claimed, as well as shown in the drawings, in which Figure 1 is aside elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan View. Figs. 3 and 4 are end views. Fig.5 is a cross-section, and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section.

The main frame is designated by the numeral 1. There is a shaker-framewhich is shown at 2,and links 3 hang this frame over the upper side barsof the main frame, the upper ends of the links being provided with hookswhich engage with lugs 5,projecting inwardly. It will thus be observedthat the shaker-frame can be removed at any time. Connected to thisshaker-frame on opposite sides thereof are guards 6 and 7, whichconverge downwardly. The numeral 8 designates an end guard which isconnected to the said side guards.

There are similar side guards 9 and 10 connected to the uppermost sidepieces of the machine-frame 1. There are upper and lower regulators 11and 12, which are duplicates. Each consists of two boards 13 and 14,that are hinged together at 15, forming an upper apex from which theboards diverge toward the sides of the shaker-frame. There are twopull-bars 16 and 17, slidable longitudinally through the upper and lowercross-bars of the shaker-frame, respectively. Sets of links 18 and 19pivotally connect each pull-bar with the boards of the regulator.

It will be observed that when the pull-bars are moved the hinged boardswill have their lower ends either drawn together or spread.

The numerals 20 and 21 designate the lower rollers, and 22 and 23 theupper rollers, which are suit-ably journaled, as shown, to themachine-frame. Thelower rollers are located on opposite sides and inline with thelower regulator, and the upper rollers are similarlydisposed in relation to the upper regulator. The numeral 21 designates apower-shaft which carries a suitable fly-wheel and is provided with acrank-loop 25. The numeral 26 designates a pitman which connects thiscrankloop with the central portion of the shakerframe. There arebevel-gears 27 and 28 on The numerals 31 and 32 designate sprocketchainswhich operatively connect the upper and lower rollers. On the shaftthere is a gear 33.

34 designates apinion. There is a crankhandle 35, which is connectedwith this pinion. The end of the power-shaft and the shaft which carriesthe pinion are journaled in a bracket 35, connected to the machineframe.The feed-chute is designated by the numeral 3'71 The numerals 38 and 39designate the delivery-chutes, the former adapted to receive potatoesfrom the upper regulator and rollers and the latter from the lowerregulator and rollers.

\Vhen the machine is in use, the operation is as follows: As thepotatoes are fed down onto the upper regulator all the smaller ones dropthrough, while the larger potatoes are shaken down to the upperdelivery-chute, from whence they pass off into a suitable receptacle.The next size are shaken down along the lower regulator onto the lowerdeliverychute, while the small potatoes are dropped through onto theground. The rollers assist in feeding the potatoes and prevent anyclogging. By regulating the pullbars the regulator can be adjusted so asto allow any size. of potato to fall through,

There are many slight changes which might be resorted to in carrying outthe present invention without departing from any of the advantagesthereof, and hence I consider mythe shaft, and these mesh with the bevelgears 29 and 30 on the upper rollers 22 and 23.

self entitled to all such changes as properly come within the spirit andscope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire tosecure byLetters Patent, is

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a mainframe, of a shakerframe, means for shaking said frame, and a regulatorhaving inclined converging portions hinged together and adj nstablyconnected to the shaker-frame, substantially as described.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a mainframe, of a shakerframe, means for shaking said frame, rollers and aregulator having sides converging upwardly, which regulator is carriedby the shaker-frame, substantially as described.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a mainframe, of downwardly-inclined guards connected to said main frame, ashaker-frame, a centrallydisposed regulator comprisingupwardly-converging members, rollers located below the guards andadjacent to the shaker-frame, and means for shaking said frame.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with downwardlyextending outer guards, of a regulator located between said guards andcomprising converging members hinged together, and means for adjustingthe members of the regulator toward and away from each other and inrelation to the said guards.

5. In a machine of the class described, a regulator comprising thecombination of converging members hinged together, a pu1l-bar, and linksconnecting the free portions of the members to the pull-bar, wherebysaid 1ncmbers may be simultaneously adjusted.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

MILTON II. CHRIST. Vitnesses:

JOHN A. ZERBY, \VARREN A. BAGENSTOSE.

